TAIHAPE TRAGEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 22, 26 January 1924, Page 14

TAIHAPE TRAGEDY.

A SORDID STORY. DRINK AND A WOMAN. EVIDENCE IN MURDER CHARGE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) TAIHAPE, Friday. The Taihape Magistrate's Court was crowded to its limits to-day in anticipation of the hearing of the murder charge against Anthony Moghan, in connection with the tragedy at Moghan's farm on January 2. when Gordon John Gemmell met his death. Moghan, who was escorted by two stalwart policemen to the prisoners' dock, was alert and apparently intensely interested in what was taking place." Inspector Fouhy, of Wanganui, conducted the prosecution. William Olliver, a shearer, stated that he went to Moghan's on December 10. Gemmell and Robert Riley were working for Moghan. Gemmell and Moghan had an altercation about cattle. Gemmell said to witness, "I'm on a meet to-night, what, about coming down?" Witness replied, "It's no good to mc." Mophan was about five yards away and could have heard what was said. Moghan called to Gemmell and they had some words, but witness could not hear what was said. Mog-han told Gemmell to come to the house and get his cheque. Gemmell said "right--," and both left together. On December 20 witness heard Moghan tell Gemmell that he was paying too much attention to the women. Trouble Brewing. H. Sherbourne said that he worked for Moghan in November and December last, and did a small job in Jinuary. He had met Moghan's wife once. Shu called at witness' house, wanting to rent two rooms. He did not let the rooms to her. A few days later Moghan said that his wife wanted to come back, but that he would not have her. He said that he would not pay her any more maintenance money. On New Year's Day went to Moghan's for his money. He was met by Gemmell who told him that trouble was brewing. Moghan asked him if he was going to take Mrs. Moghan and another woman into witness' house. Witness replied "No." Moghan sail that it would be convenient if the women lived in witness' house, as he could then get a divorce. John Jackson, known as "Maori Jack," a native, said that he called at Moghan's on Sunday morning before New Year's Day and saw Moghan between five and six in the morning. He knew Moghan well and had worked for him. Moghan and Gemmell were in the house. Robert Riley came in layer. He gave Moghan a hand with the shearing. There was not much drink about, but he had a glass of beer. He slept at Riley's, where Olliver brought two gallons of beer for them. They drank the beer. They were all quite sober, but he did not know when they finished the beer. Moghan took two gallons of beer to his house and the same four drank it. Moghan said that he wanted to catch Gemmell with his (Moghan's) wife. Witness said that he again went to Moghan's on New Year's Day. Rilev suggested that they should make a day oi it, and they all agreed. Witness put in a pound for Gimmell, 30/ for himself, 30/ for Riley, which with Moghan's pound made a total of £5. ..oghan and Riley got the liquor at Taihape. They got seven gallons of beer, two bottles of whisky and two bottles of rum. They returned about four o'clock in the afternoon, both being under the influence of liquor. Gemmell joined them after the cows were milked, when all "got to work drinking." They did not finish the drink. They were all quite sober. Attack on Gemmell. Next day, continued the witness, Moghan accused Gemmell of "carrying on" with his wife. Gemmell denied this. Witness remembered nothing more. He walked to the verandah and heard Gemmell sing out. He saw Moghan come away from Gemmell, who was lying down. He asked Moghan what had happened, and Moghan replied—"that has been carrying on with my wife all the time," Gimmell got up and said "I think you've broken my arm, Andy." Moghan replied: "I'll break your neck you before I've finished with you." Robert Riley said that he was on his way from Taihape to Mowhanga on December 29. He saw Moghan at the gate of his farm. He went into Moghan's and had a drink. The only other person there was Gemmell. On Sunday afternoon Moghan told him he had paid Gemmell between £50 and £60 to ro to Wellington to catch his wife on tbe street with another man. Moghan said to witness: "You have a whare; that will suit you all right, Bob." Witness replied that a married worn, was no good to him. Moghan then said that he would give £50 or £60 to get rid of her. Moghan said that Gemmell was meeting his wife and another woman every day. Witness stayed at Moghan's on New Year's Day. He went to town with Moghan for liquor. They got back to the farm in the afternoon. He was fairly full when he got there. Next morning lie found himself in bed with two others. He helped Moghan milk, and then went to his whare. to sleep. Gemmell _ Body Found. Next morning, between four and five, he went to the gate, and sa iv Moghan stooping down in front of the house. The sun was just rising. He, called-out, "Good morning" to Moghan, who was just outside the verandah. Moghan said, "Come and look what I've done, Bob. I've killed the —- robber. He won't interfere with my wifo any more.'' Moghan asked what he would do, and requested witness to help in burying the body. Witness replied, "Not on your life; I'll ring up the sergeant." Moghan, said witness, was very excited when .he told him that he was going for the police, and said, "I'll soon settle you." He went toward the house, where he had a gun. Witness did not wait, but went to Spooner's house, and stated that Moghan had murdered a man. He waited at Spooner's while the police were rung up. An Alleged Confession. Sergeant Matthews and Constable Geraghty, continued witness, came out, and Moghan met them at the gate, and said, "I've killed a man. 1 give myself in charge." Moghan put up his hands to have the handcuffs put on. In the motor car Moghan said to Constable Geraghty: "I killed Gemmell; Rdey had nothing to do with it; Gemmell struck mc fi_ Btj <_;_„,_ h B b ,„ flri-TnoT* v? _** he did » ot s <* ™v other. dd he Bee one st »ke the .ce_e G o C f°the „a^T rned t0 **